The 2025 Champions League Final Four is here. From May 29 to June 1 in Malta, four European powerhouses will fight for the sport’s most prestigious club title. Ferencvaros, Barceloneta, Novi Beograd, and Marseille have all taken different paths to reach this stage, but each arrives with pedigree, momentum, and ambition.
The excitement is building as Malta, the jewel of the Mediterranean, prepares to host the Final Four for the second consecutive year. With its stunning coastal setting and a world-class venue in the Tal-Qroqq Sports Complex, the island is once again ready to welcome athletes, coaches, officials, and fans to one of the highlights of the European water polo calendar.
This year’s edition carries extra significance as it coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta. As ASA Malta President Karl Izzo remarked, “2025 marks the Aquatic Sports Association’s 100 years since its foundation and I could think of no better way to mark this milestone than by successfully bidding to host the European Aquatics Water Polo Champions League Final 4 event in Malta for three consecutive years – 2024-2026.”
The Final Four weekend will include not only the semi-finals and medal matches, but also cultural events and meetings, including a competition planning session and the SportMalta Centenary Super Cup Final. It promises to be a full celebration of water polo and Mediterranean hospitality.
The semi-final fixtures are set for Friday, May 30:
Semi-Finals – Friday, 30 May (Local Times):
- 19:30 – VK Novi Beograd (SRB) vs Zodiac CNAB Barceloneta (ESP)
- 21:30 – FTC Telekom Waterpolo (HUN) vs CN Marseille (FRA)
Ferencvaros (Hungary): The Relentless Favorites
The reigning champions return to Malta not just to defend their title but to solidify their new role as European water polo’s top dog. Ferencvaros has won nearly everything in the last decade—two Champions League titles (2019, 2024), six Hungarian Championships, and an astounding 100-game domestic win streak.
Their dominance is reflected in the numbers: most goals scored (189), fewest conceded (98), most assists (133), and best fast-break record (24 goals). Led by Stylianos Argyropoulos (40 goals) and a cast of stars including Dusan Mandic, Marton Vamos, and Edoardo Di Somma, Ferencvaros combines individual brilliance with ruthless team execution.
Their semi-final matchup pits them against Marseille, but barring a major upset, FTC look poised to reach another final. Whether any team can stop their machine-like form remains the key question in Malta.
Barceloneta (Spain): Spain’s Steady Contender
With 20 consecutive domestic titles and the backbone of the Spanish national team, Barceloneta is a proven elite force. They arrive in Malta after a season of near-flawless results—only one loss in 12 Champions League games, and the only team to beat Ferencvaros this season.
Alvaro Granados (35 goals), Felipe Perrone (CL leader in steals and blocks), and Unai Aguirre (3rd in saves) form the team’s spine. Add in Alberto Munarriz’s playmaking and Roger Tahull’s presence at center, and it’s a group built for high-pressure situations.
Their semifinal opponent, Novi Beograd, edged them out in a penalty shootout in 2023. This time, with more momentum and revenge on their mind, Barceloneta may be ready to write a different story.
Novi Beograd (Serbia): The Quiet Force Returns
After a summer exodus that saw stars like Filipovic and Granados leave, few expected Novi Beograd to return to the Final Four. But under coach Zivko Gocic, the club has reinvented itself with a mix of experience and youth.
Top scorer Vasilije Martinovic (30 goals) has emerged as a star, joined by veterans Milos Cuk, Angelos Vlachopoulos, and rising talents like Glusac and Gladovic. The Serbs won 11 of their 12 Champions League games, topping both the Preliminary and Quarterfinal stages.
Though their domestic form has been mixed (2nd in the Serbian League, 4th in the Regional League), Novi Beograd has nothing to lose in Malta. Their biggest advantage? No pressure.
Marseille (France): First-Time Semifinalists with Bite
The French champions are the Final Four debutants, but they are far from novices. With 42 domestic titles and a Euro Cup trophy in 2019, Marseille has slowly built a European contender. Now, in 2025, they arrive among the best.
Coach Milos Scepanovic’s squad is led by legends like Andrija Prlainovic and Michael Bodegas, complemented by French internationals like Thomas Vernoux and Alexandre Bouet. Petar Tesanovic is the league’s top goalkeeper (111 saves), and the team leads in power-play goals (68).
Their path to Malta included a 14:9 home win over Novi Beograd. If they can bring that form against Ferencvaros in the semis, a shock could be on the cards.
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